The Russian Nightmare: Pens 7 – ‘Canes 4

In the eye of a white-out Game 2 storm, a flurry of towels and tinfoiled knuckles on a pseudo-Hanson brother with the real Dave Hanson in attendance, there was truly something in the air at Mellon Arena on Thursday night.

The Pittsburgh Penguins and the Carolina Hurricanes shed the Game 1 pleasantries, and with the honeymoon over, the hits came hard and fast on both sides. So did the goals. It was inevitable. Game 1 was just the warm-up band.

First it was Crosby, then it was LaRose. Then it was Malkin. Then it was Jokinen. Then Pittsburgh blinked, and it was Seidenberg. And that was just the 1st period. Yes, it was going to be one of those nights. Both teams were playing fast and loose, with loose being the operative word. Neither Marc-Andre Fleury nor his counterpart at the other end, Cam Ward, was getting much help from the defense. Traffic jams kept clogging up the view in front of the net only to end in sudden explosions that set loose breaks to the opposite end like it was the Autobahn.

The 2nd period settled in. Defense on both sides got back to the plan, and the flow was less frenetic though the hits kept coming. It was nice to see Max Talbot reap a reward for all his diligent toiling in the traces as he picked up the Pens’ game-tying goal at 3:11 by showing, yet again, the strength of the Penguins early in periods. It wasn’t until :08 were left in the period before Chris Kunitz broke his long 19-game drought with the go-ahead goal.

In the 3rd, Patrick Eaves did his version of early-period scoring, pulling the ‘Canes even at four goals apiece. The Hurricanes were feeling pretty good about their prospects at this point, but they failed to take into account one small thing.

Evgeni Malkin was not finished.

Scoring two more goals on the night to notch the Penguins’ second hat trick of the playoffs, the Russian Nightmare lit up the Igloo sending a shiver down the spines of the ‘Canes and their fans. Malkin scores, he sets up goals, he shreds defenders from one end of the ice to the other like a pinball wizard, and the boy can not only hit but take hits, though his preference is to artfully dodge them, leaving his opponent at odd angles in the air or in a heap.

This is a proud opponent though, and the ‘Canes continued to battle and do what has brought them to this point. However, late in the 3rd period, with Cam Ward pulled and a 6th attacker on the ice, miscues sprung the Penguins’ Staal unit. A weak clear of the puck in the Hurricanes’ vulnerable defensive zone caught the very end of Jordan Staal’s stick as he managed to get it toward teammate Tyler Kennedy for the empty-netter, sealing the deal at 18:11.

So Much to Like–Take Your Pick

Any one of Malkin’s goals which heightened in spectacular-ness with each notch.

Despite some sloppy play at times that will continue to be addressed and shored up by the vigilant Dan Bylsma and company, the Pens played a better 2nd period, weathered a couple of storms of the Hurricanes’ own, and came out on top in a way that is eerily reminiscent of that Game 7 against the Caps. It showed on the ‘Canes faces as the minutes waned.

Total Minutes:Jordan (18:43), Eric (23:30)–‘Canes coach, Paul Maurice was turning over the top units rapidly with the 4th unit seeing limited time.

Shifts & Average Shift Time:Jordan (25 at :44), Eric (29 at :48)

Shots on Goal:Jordan (2), Eric (3)

Hits:Jordan (1), Eric (0)

Giveaways:Jordan (1), Eric (0)

Takeaways:Jordan (1), Eric (1)

Blocked Shots:Jordan (0), Eric (1)

Faceoffs Won:Jordan (9), Eric (8)

Faceoffs Lost:Jordan (6), Eric (15)

Faceoff Percentage:Jordan (60%), Eric (35%)–Complete flip-flop from Game 1 and more in Jordan’s usual range.

With Malkin awakened and on a tear for which the Hurricanes seem to have no answer as of yet, this series could get a out of hand quickly. Still, Game 3 back at Carolina’s stomping ground with the home team down 0-2, recalls the Philly series in a mirror situation. A stung team coming home to an expectant and passionate crowd makes for the height of desperation. The chippiness of Game 2 will carry over though it may take a more measured and controlled form.

Will Eric Staal catch fire? Will Cam Ward right his ship? Will Malkin increase to an F5? Will Penguins from all lines and the defensive corps continue to contribute in waves of oceanic proportions only seen on the angry Bering Sea? Saturday at 7:30 will unfold to reveal some of those answers.

2 Responses to The Russian Nightmare: Pens 7 – ‘Canes 4

Great insights Anne! Malkin was a BEAST on Thursday night. It was one of those nights where he was totally in the game and on a mission. When he plays like that, I don’t think anyone can stop him. The Canes will be looking to take Geno off from his game tonight by playing him physically and denying him any room. The problem is, the Penguins have other lethal weapons in their arsenal. It could prove to be too much to contain. That being said, the Canes will put up their toughest fight tonight on their own ice. If the Pens win tonight, it is all over in my opinion. If not, we may finally have a series on our hands.

I like your inclusion of the Staal tracker. The truth is, Eric Staal has been a relative non-factor in this series thus far. Kudos to Jordan and the Penguins for taking any wind out of Eric’s sails.

Yes, I can’t wait for tonight. I thought the Staal tracker might be fun since so much is made of the brother-brother story, but truthfully, they appear to me to have more differences than similarities. Eric is much more offensive and quicker (like Crosby) for his size. Jordan is fast, but what others cover in 5 or 6 strides, he covers in 3 or 4. I also think he is stronger physically than Eric, but Eric has a lighter, more “finessy” touch with the puck.

Of course, Eric has 4 years on his little brother, and Jordan’s development even since last year has been incredible. He is definitely more confident and has really taken to leading his line and leading the primary PK. They are both excellent. Eric doesn’t have much help though. The ‘canes do not seem to be as deep, including their 4th line since Maurice is not relying on them like Bylsma relies on ours. That’s going to wear on the other lines physically.